I am a User Experience (UX) Strategist and Squarespace web designer. For me, being a strong strategist means being a committed and active listener, maintaining a deep-rootedness in empathy for the user and their goals, and trusting in the power of collaboration.
In practical terms, my job requires synthesizing robust information and making decisions that take into consideration what the user needs, what the business wants, and what the industry trends are, ensuring a solution that sits (ideally) at the intersection of all of these things. I’m also passionate about beautiful design and clear, direct language, and how these can be used to aid in better communication and design strategy.
My professional background.
I wasn’t always a Strategist by profession, but I like to think I was always a strategic thinker. Before becoming a UX Strategist, I was a writer and researcher, working in the nonprofit sector as a grant manager and writer. I studied English and Economics at the University of Pittsburgh, and moved abroad to write and study in Oxford, U.K.
While I no longer work for nonprofits, I continue to volunteer, most recently with Mutual Aid Philadelphia. I’ve created websites for various artists and entrepreneurs, and solidified my UX knowledge through an apprenticeship with Thinkful. You can read more about the career switch that changed my life for the better here.
My values.
As a way to better understand who I am as a person, here is a (non-exhaustive) list of things I believe in, in no particular order.
I believe in stubborn optimism. I believe in the benefit of the doubt. I believe in seeking out silence. I believe in spending time with the people you love as often as you can. I believe in listening to that inner voice. I believe in cross-city bike rides on summer nights. I believe in the wisdom of those older than me, and the earnestness of those younger than me. I believe in active listening. I believe in learning another language. I believe in journaling. I believe in giving gratitude. I believe in talking it out. I believe in changing one’s mind. I believe in spending time in nature. I believe in knowing your neighbors. I believe in the good in people. I believe in finding what moves you. I believe in long walks. I believe in rest and restoration.
Other things to know.
Curious by nature, my favorite things to do are to read and to travel. I try to read at least 20 books a year (here are some of my favorites). To keep my mind centered and curiosity engaged, I practice Spanish weekly and yoga daily. I love to explore new places, try new foods, meet new people, and spend time with my very musical husband in our home in Philadelphia. When I feel moved, I write essays about anything that happens to be on my mind.